Nokia and BSNL have signed a network modernization agreement to support BSNL’s launch of 4G and Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services in western and southern regions of India.

Deployment of the Nokia Single Radio Access Network (RAN) software will simplify network installation, allowing BSNL to save operational costs while supporting 2G, 3G and 4G subscribers in a single radio unit. New VoLTE services will allow BSNL’s 4G subscribers to experience HD-quality voice and faster call connections.

The Nokia MBiT Index 2018 reveals that 4G contributed to 82% of data traffic in 2017 and the monthly 4G data usage per user was nearly 11 GB per user per month. The deployment will enable BSNL to meet this growing demand as it continues to support subscribers on existing 2G and 3G networks.

In 2017, Nokia and BSNL signed an MoU to explore and develop the applications of 5G for the India market.

"Hunger for consistent change and innovation provides the fuel to drive us towards excellence. With this in our core, we are striving to offer the best in class network speed, coverage and capacity using the best technology available. We are really proud to have technology partner like NOKIA with whom we are working in South and West Zone of the country, rolling out the latest single RAN Technology and further moving towards 5G, in direction with our aim to offer the best," said Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL.

“We are pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with BSNL on this important project in India. The deployment of our technologies will enable BSNL to launch exciting new voice and data services, satisfying growing demand in India,” said Sanjay Malik, head of India Market at Nokia.